Liverpool Transfer News: Top Targets for Brendan Rodgers This Summer

As Liverpool race towards their first title success in a generation, thoughts are already turning towards the summer and who Brendan Rodgers will bring to Anfield to strengthen his squad.

The Reds lead the title race by two points, per BBC Sport, and could extend their lead further as they travel to West Ham on Sunday afternoon, looking to initiate yet another glut of goalscoring against a weaker opponent.

Despite Liverpool's magnificence in the last third this season, their defence is still not of world-class standing.

Rodgers will surely be active in the summer transfer window to rectify this issue and also further strengthen the amount of attacking players at his disposal.

Here we take a look at the latest targets who are on Liverpool's transfer radar:

Adam Lallana

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

Wayne Veysey from Goal.com reports that Liverpool are targeting Southampton captain Adam Lallana after the England international's wonderful season at St Mary's.

Veysey says that the £20 million-plus-rated Lallana could see his value rocket should he have an impressive World Cup in the summer.

Lallana has been a sensation this season and is one of the prime reasons why the Saints have had such a strong campaign.

The time might be right for a move now while his stock is at an all-time high.

He has contributed greatly to his club's lofty league position this year, scoring nine times in 32 appearances, per Squawka.

And his manager Mauricio Pochettino has had praise for him recently, comparing him to some of the stellar names in world football.

Sam Cunningham of the Mail reported that the Southampton manager said:

We haven’t seen a player like that in this country for a long time. Lately he has had a number of opportunities to get into the England national side so that is a very good thing for him. I am always telling him that he has the characteristics of a Spanish player and he has the skills of a Iniesta, Xavi or Fabregas.

Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

At still only 25 years old, Lallana could be the right player for Rodgers, at the right time. Lallana's effortless style and eye for goal would make him a natural candidate for a Liverpool midfield that oozes attacking potential and quality.

With Steven Gerrard as the life-support system, Lallana could lead the fluidity from the front of centre and feed the striking talent of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. It would make an already potent attack even more powerful and at around the £20 million mark would represent some outstanding value.

The Anfield club have other areas of the park they need to focus on in strengthening, but Lallana has proven he is ready for the step up, and Anfield would be the perfect stage for him to show off just how far he has come in the past couple of seasons.

Julian Brandt

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

There is little doubt that Rodgers needs to address the issue that his defence appears to be weaker than many of his opponents, so once again the Liverpool boss has turned his attentions to another attacking midfielder!

Julian Brandt is one of the most highly rated teenagers in the Bundesliga and Rodgers has his sights firmly set on the individual, per Alan Nixon's article in the Mirror.

Nixon had previously said that the youngster was tipped to be the next Adnan Januzaj, per the Mirror, and had been watched by both Chelsea and Manchester United.

Just 17 years old, Brandt broke into the Bayer Leverkusen side in February, playing seven times in the league and scoring once, per Squawka.

A step up to Liverpool and the Premier League could see the dynamic young player further his development in Rodgers' team, who are now famous for their attacking capabilities.

Rodgers focusing on youth is a shrewd move, and Brandt falls into the category of the most exciting prospects in Europe at the moment.

If the Liverpool manager could find his own Januzaj to develop, the Reds would be even more potent in front of goal than they already are.

Should Liverpool sign Adam Lallana?

YesNoSubmit Votevote to see results

Should Liverpool sign Adam Lallana?

Yes

85.0%

No

15.0%

Total votes: 3,915

However, it cannot be denied that Rodgers must find himself a top-class centre-back in the very near future. He has an array of attackers, led by Suarez, who are a match for any defence in the world.

But the Reds' back line is weak when you compare it to the other teams in the Champions League positions in the Premier League.

If Rodgers can add the talent needed to this specific position, they will not only have a very good chance of domestic glory in 2014-15, but they will challenge heavily in Europe as well. The Champions League is in the traditional lifeblood of the Anfield club, and Rodgers must find solutions in the summer before they embark on a campaign they have not fought for a few seasons now.